The brisk Manchester morning air swept through the Etihad campus as Yn jogged out onto the pitch, her breath visible in the cold air. She could feel the anticipation buzzing around her teammates as they stretched and prepared for the day’s training. Despite the layers of jerseys, hoodies, and jackets everyone wore, Yn felt the cold sting of frustration seeping deeper than the winter chill. She was playing some of the best football of her career, but it seemed like her efforts went unseen, at least by the one person who should’ve noticed—the manager.
At 22, Yn had become a vital part of Manchester City’s front line. Her pace and vision on the left wing had helped her carve out a reputation, catching the eye of fans and fellow players alike. Every time she touched the ball, she felt that rush of purpose, the fierce joy of weaving through defenses and sending crosses into the box. And yet, it felt like no matter how many goals she set up, or how many tackles she made, her contributions were always met with a dismissive glance or a lack of acknowledgment.
The bitterness crept in, harder to shake each day, especially with whispers about England call-ups swirling around. It hurt seeing younger players, even ones she knew she’d outperformed, getting the nod from England’s national coach. Her sister Lauren Hemp had been a mainstay on the Lionesses for years now, a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of what she herself could achieve. Lauren had been her biggest cheerleader since day one, but even her words of encouragement couldn’t drown out the silence from her club manager.
Yn clenched her fists as she thought about the meetings, the subtle put-downs, and the lack of trust in her potential. It was as if she was constantly on trial, needing to prove herself over and over, only to have her hard work swept under the rug. She felt like an outsider on her own team, which only added weight to the already heavy chip on her shoulder. She knew she couldn’t afford to dwell on the unfairness of it all. All she could control was what happened on the pitch, and she was determined to make it impossible for anyone to ignore her.
